Saints 31, Falcons 27: Q&A with coach Mike Smith
Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith calls out in the first half an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
NEW ORLEANS — Falcons coach Mike Smith touched on the short yardage offense, Matt Ryan’s play and Asante Samuel’s unsportsmanlike penalty after the Falcons were handed their first loss of the season on Sunday.
Here’s what he had to say:
OPENING STATEMENT: “I felt like this was a hard fought football game in terms of the effort. We made way too many mistakes in all three phases. I felt like we had many opportunities. We have to convert when we get in these third-and-1 situations. I know there were two early in the ball game that we didn’t convert. We talked about having to score touchdowns in the red zone. We have to do that when we are down there. With that, I’ll open it up for questions.”
Q: Could you explain the problems with the short-yardage offense?
A: “We had two third-and-1s. One we tried to run. The other we tried to throw it. We are not getting the surge that we need to on the run plays. We’ve got to be able to move the line of scrimmage in those third down-and-1 situations. Those are to the advantage of the offense. We are not getting that done right now. We didn’t get that done today.”
Q: At 28-24, did you consider going for a two-point conversion?
A: “No. There was still 13 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. You don’t even start looking at that two-point chart until you are seven or eight minutes into the fourth quarter. If you miss that two point conversion then you are flipped on the other side of it in terms of the score. You look at the (card) with about seven or eight minutes left usually on two point conversions.”
Q: Was it the inability to convert on short yardage that led to the passes at the end?
A: “Yes. We did not run the ball very effectively. They did a nice job with their penetration and knocking the line of scrimmage back. It wasn’t always blitzes or stunts. They did a nice job of penetrating in the backfield.”
Q: How unfathomable was it that you wouldn’t get a touchdown right there at the end?
A: “They have been playing a lot better defense and a lot better as a football team over the last four weeks. They had won three out of their last four. They are playing with a lot of confidence. When these two teams meet you can throw the records out the window because it’s going to be a hard fought battle and unfortunately we didn’t do enough to get it done today.”
Q: Did you talk to Asante Samuel after his penalty that compromised the second drive?
A: “I certainly did. Those are what we categorize as not the type of penalties that we want to have. We want aggressive penalties. Instead of having the ball on the 12, it knocked us back out to starting the drive on the 27. We can’t have those types of penalties. We want to play penalty free football on special teams. We had one early. We had one in the third quarter and we had one there on the last punt. In terms of getting the ball in good field position (that hurts). We had a chance and we had a 10 yard penalty which basically knocked the ball much farther back from where we’d like to start with no timeouts on that last drive.”
Q: How frustrating was it not scoring that touchdown when you had the ball on the 1-yard line?
A: “It’s very frustrating whether if it’s 1-yard or 10-yards when you don’t win. It’s frustrating because that’s why we are playing the games. We want to get the win. We were close and we weren’t able to get that accomplished. We’ll learn from that. We’ll evaluate it as a staff. This will be something that we learn from as we move forward.”
Q: How were they (the 32nd ranked run defense) able to shut down your running game?
A: “Again, I’m going to have to watch the tape. But we definitely did not run the football with the efficiency we need to or wanted to or thought we could. That’s for sure. We’ve got to not have those empty yards in terms of not getting touchdowns out of them. We moved the football and when you get down in the red zone you want to be efficient all of the time and there were two times that we did not score touchdowns when we were down there.”
Q: Were you all just getting pushed back off the ball?
A: “Until I get an opportunity to watch the tape. I’ll be better able to speak on that. But obviously, we did not win the line of scrimmage in our run game at least from what I saw from the sideline.”
Q: Did you think Matt (Ryan) was going to pull out another one?
A: “You have got to be comfortable with the ball in Matt Ryan’s hand there at the end of the ball game when we needed to go down there and score. We just didn’t get it accomplished. My hats off to the New Orleans Saints. They won the football game.”
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110 comments Add your comment
william cranman
November 11th, 2012
6:45 pm
No running game equates to 1 and done in the playoffs.
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
6:46 pm
With all due respect to coach Smith that was very very stupid not going for 2 in that situation. That PAT was useless.
AtlantaDude
November 11th, 2012
6:47 pm
The Falcons NEED A RUNNING BACK.
Michael Turner’s yards-per-carry average is bad enough, but if you take out his occassional long run, it would be even worse. He gets stuffed for no gain or a small gain on the majority of his runs.
According to the advanced stats site http://www.footballoutsiders.com, even before this week’s game Turner ranked 27th out of 34 featured running backs, with just 43% of his carries being effective. He also ranks near the bottom in two metrics that adjust yards per carry based on situation and opponent.
Imagine how good this team would be if we had a legitimate running game
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
6:47 pm
I now have to question his jugement.
monty
November 11th, 2012
6:52 pm
I’ve been saying for weeks now they just can’t push anyone around on short yardage run situations. like on the goal line, and it came back to bite them. Gotta be able to jam it down a good teams throat when you get the chance, not lose yardage every time you run!
blove
November 11th, 2012
6:53 pm
U garbage a$$ fans really thought y’all were going to win. Y’all a bunch
Of frauds like I said before.
4BsihTneeS
November 11th, 2012
6:54 pm
As the sun begins to set in the Big Easy, there are now two things true, that weren’t true on Friday:
1. The fal can’ts are no longer undefeated.
2. There’s now plenty of room on that bandwagon in atlanta, plenty of room.
G EAUX SAINT S !!!
zac
November 11th, 2012
6:56 pm
Turner is not the same running back he used to be when we acquired him. Shades of tip-toe Duckett. He is awful.
keith
November 11th, 2012
6:58 pm
I do not understand why Michael Turner remains the starter. It is absolutely dumbfounding. He must have dirt on someone??? hmmmmmmm?
Jimmy
November 11th, 2012
6:59 pm
Wow. I write up a detailed analysis on what the Falcons problems are, IMO, and it doesn’t get past the filter. Nice job AJC.
Chucktown falconfan
November 11th, 2012
7:00 pm
A few things to consider,
1. We played a bad game today and still had a chance to win. Away, against a desperate team.
2. This game exposed alot of things to correct . . . blocking, running the ball, tackling, getting to the QB.
3. No more undefeated BS.
4. Losing wakes a team up to focus more on the little things ie No. 2.
5. Back under the radar b/c everyone will write us off. They were waiting to anyway.
We’re still a good team . . . a playoff team, holding serve to break out wk15,16, playoffs, SB!!!!
Go Falcons! In it to win it.
Jimmy
November 11th, 2012
7:00 pm
Yet that goes through, as this will too. So much for freedom of speech huh?
mgm
November 11th, 2012
7:00 pm
No running game.
MTSeats
November 11th, 2012
7:03 pm
It’s a process
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
7:05 pm
As the sun sets on the big Sleazy the Falcons still have a commanding lead in the NFC South, put that in your turduckin and smoke it.
Jimmy
November 11th, 2012
7:05 pm
D-Led,
TWO of my posts didn’t make it past the filter. Could you email me, or reply here on what exactly it was that I said that made it so?? Unbelievable man!!!!!
Bronkelliott
November 11th, 2012
7:06 pm
Running game is just outright awful. Nuff said.!
WS
November 11th, 2012
7:06 pm
Add part of no run game on o-line. Backs are hit in back field. I think McClure has been a good center for a long time. I think it is time too change. Konzs at center and Hawley at left guard.
Jimmy
November 11th, 2012
7:06 pm
This blog is almost as pathetic as the Falcons running game offensively and their ability to stop it on defense!
4BsihTneeS
November 11th, 2012
7:06 pm
Saint s own the fal can’ts. 11 of the last 13. LOL!
MTSeats
November 11th, 2012
7:08 pm
Buy your seat license now, Arthur wants a new stadium. Taxpayers will foot the rest.
hiramsaint
November 11th, 2012
7:09 pm
SMAKDOWN IN THE LOMBARDI DOME
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:09 pm
I’m sorry, but this isn’t on Turner…the OL stinks at run-blocking. Also, no one asked about the run defense…pathetic as well.
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
The problem with Turner is he cant change direction or improv if nothing is there, which is often the case, and rarely breaks tackles. Oh and our run blocking $ux. They have to improve on that if they want to win a playoff game.
3rd and goal
November 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
3rd and goal, game on the line and you call up a running play after you did nothing all day (except the off tackle run by Jacquizz). Give me a break. You have an elite group of 3 guys that can go up and get it and you decide to run Turner up the middle? brilliant!! I wouldn’t have as big a problem with a loss and getting away from this undefeated nonsense, but why did u have to do it against the Aints!!
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
4BsihTneeS, congrats on the victory today, but your team is still 4-5 and 4 games behind. I’m looking forward to the Thursday night game…hopefully Weatherspoon will be back for that one.
Tom Dawg
November 11th, 2012
7:11 pm
Smackdown????? Really, how delusional can one be?
Ivan
November 11th, 2012
7:12 pm
And everyone blamed MM for the awful short yardage play.
Bench turner and we see an immediate improvement
WTF#33
November 11th, 2012
7:12 pm
I wish M Smith wud have the guts to bench Turner and let Rogers start. Rogers has great agility and make people miss, he does not need a gaping hole to get atleast positive yards. Turner puts the team behind the chains every series we give him the ball. That is tough for any offense to convert 3rd and 9 consistently after wasting two downs running Turner. BTW I have been saying this since the first game and not because we lost today. I knew it would eventually bite us in the butt not having a run game.
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
7:12 pm
Not hardly a Smack Down, you guys barely won. Thats funny. The smackdown is comming in 2 weeks.
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:12 pm
3rd and goal, well said
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:14 pm
Folks, are you serious…Turner is one of the best in goal-line situations…something is wrong when even he can’t get a sniff of the endzone. This all on the OL…Rodgers ypc stinks as well.
4BsihTneeS
November 11th, 2012
7:14 pm
And maybe we will have Sproles back by then…
Wabe
November 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
Why would you question not going for 2? I wasn’t even thinking about a 2 point conversion there…
We had 4 opportunities to get it from that spot and failed. That was the ballgame. Not this issue of not going for 2 to cut it to 3.
The redzone offense is what lost this game for the Falcons. That paired with a pretty inept looking defense for most of the game.
Reality Check
November 11th, 2012
7:15 pm
They are not built for the playoffs. They could have easily lost 4 games against teams with losing records. Great records get you nowhere in the postseason. If the goal is to finally win a playoff game, they may actually do that but little else!!
Adogg36
November 11th, 2012
7:16 pm
Special teams also.
Wabe
November 11th, 2012
7:16 pm
11 of 13 don’t put you in the playoffs…
Wabe
November 11th, 2012
7:18 pm
So who is ‘built for the playoffs’ if ‘almost losing 4 games against teams with losing records’ signals such a thing?
How many losses do the Giants have to teams with losing records? Not ‘almost losing’ but actually losing? Not to mention them ‘almost losing’ to the same redskins team that we ‘almost lost’ to.
Sam
November 11th, 2012
7:20 pm
Why is franks still returning punts? He hasn’t return one for more than 10 yds
WTF#33
November 11th, 2012
7:21 pm
Why do everyone keep blaming the OL for this out of shape slow RB horrible performance week after week. This is the same OL with the exception of one guy when Turner was fresh and not as fat as he is now when he was putting up pro bowl numbers. This guy better days are behind him, you mean to tell me that the OL has to block perfectly on every run for this guy to atleast get back to the line of scrimmage. Get the H out of here, he is washed up.
Bronkelliott
November 11th, 2012
7:23 pm
Better to lose now and correct the gaping mistakes than get embarrassed in the playoffs. I think Smith and the o line will tighten up for the running game. I am still concerned about the defense against gun slinging quarterbacks. Let’s not get too down on our team. They are still fun to watch and are always in every game no matter how tight the game is. You have to admit Gonzales had a great game. Go Falcons and keep playing hard.
Ron Roberts
November 11th, 2012
7:24 pm
Jason Snelling is the forgotten man in that backfield. Why are we not handing him the rock more?
Samuels’ moronic penalty probably cost us 4; the penalty on the last punt hurt, too. Roddy HAS to catch that last bomb … he does, we win. I think if Tony hauls in that last pass, we’re 50/50 to pull it out from there.
On defense, we made good adjustments and stifled their offense to only putting 10 on the board in the 2nd half; kudos for that, but we have to make adjustments DURING the first half, too. Not enough pressure on Brees today, and he torched us. Same ol’ song in that scenario. Very little mention of Ray Edwards (no surprise) OR John Abraham.
Other’n that, Matt Ryan played a hell of a game.
killer instinct
November 11th, 2012
7:24 pm
Falcons gave that game away.
KB
November 11th, 2012
7:25 pm
Man up and punch the ball in!!!!!!!!!
Esquire
November 11th, 2012
7:27 pm
Woulda, shoulda, coulda, just a cornucopia of things that kept us from the W, other than the Caints.
They get this one, congrats, see you in Atlanta!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
PHOENIX FALCON
November 11th, 2012
7:27 pm
Turner must Go , and i mean Now.
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:27 pm
Wabe, great points
Sam, the Falcons punt return game has to be the worst in the league, is it?
WTF#33, did you see any creases in those short yardage scenarios? I definitely don’t think Turner is the best back around, but he hasn’t dropped off that much
Once Recent Reader
November 11th, 2012
7:29 pm
Hey . . .is the AJC Time Server not up to speed on the Time Change?
singhisking
November 11th, 2012
7:29 pm
how about benching 33 turner ! tooooo slowwwwweww!
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
7:29 pm
I’ve blamed Turner plenty of times in the recent past, and believe he has lost a step, but he is still the best option in 3rd and short situations…need a good FB as well.
Reality Check
November 11th, 2012
7:36 pm
They have become one dimensional (i.e. passing game) with no one who is explosive out of backfield. Turner was good the first year we had him, but regression ever since. Look at all the teams with an explosive backs ,, hell even explosive back ups. We have little Rodgers and too big too slow Turner. It is pathetic when they “try” to establish a running game b/c they know they have to do it to keep defenses honest, but have nothing to show. Most of their “running plays” are the dump off passes to Rodgers. I saw way too much conservative play today outside of the big bombs (against horrible secondary – which is why it worked). Bomb to White in first possession was probably one of the best deep throws I have ever seen Ryan make (perfect).
Ronnie Dickerson
November 11th, 2012
7:36 pm
Could we not have tried a qb snick from the one. We could have run it four straight times. It appears to me that Turner has lost a step. We need a young fast bigger back. And where are the screen passes that work so well? I love this team, they are great, keep up the good work, Rise- up
WTF#33
November 11th, 2012
7:38 pm
This blog stinks, I responded to @ Reality Check about the COULD HAVE theory and it did not make the blog. I am outta here.
78dawg
November 11th, 2012
7:40 pm
They had the game and gave it away. Without Spoon the D-run defense was awful. Why is Ray Edwards on the team even Now? Why is Turner on this theam even now? Our team won’t go anywhere in the playoffs being one dimentional. Turner has no burst, no speed, and for his size couldn’t push a cornerback back. Goes down like a little girl. We will not go far with Turner. I’m sick.
extremus
November 11th, 2012
7:41 pm
Smith isn’t going to throw Turner (or any of his players) under the bus, but his answers regarding the running game were that of a coach not given to rash words or actions. I respect that and I’m sure his team does. He watched the same game we did and you can bank on the fact that he and the rest of the Falcons brass know that Turner has become a liability; the real question is whether they can find anyone to step up and be the running back this team needs to win the Superbowl this year. Unfortunately, I doubt it; to do so they’re going to have to depend on passing the ball, and that makes them dangerously one-dimensional. The biggest thing the Falcons have going for them (if they can stay healthy) is the sheer number of options Matt Ryan now has downfield.
Dr. Don
November 11th, 2012
7:43 pm
Jimmy,
In my humble opinion, D-Led didn’t filter enough of your posts. ,Quit yer whinin’.
vesaversa
November 11th, 2012
7:43 pm
How easy will it be for Coach Smith and the Falcons to either trade Michael Turner or cut him ? The man seam to get slower ever game he play.And it’s time to retire those old men playing defensive end for the Falcons, i mean Good grifff Charlie Brown.
Who Dat Dude!!
November 11th, 2012
7:46 pm
Ivory made y’all defense look pathetic!! We own the Falclowns!!!!LOL!!!
Wabe
November 11th, 2012
7:47 pm
Say what you want about the running game. It’s bad, I know. And, we do need more production out of it. Without a doubt.
But, to say we’re not ‘built or the postseason’ because of it isn’t really a valid argument.
Go look at the QB’s for the last 4-5 Superbowl Champions. You need elite QB’s. A good run game would help, but elite QB’s are what make you or break you.
tmc
November 11th, 2012
7:51 pm
Great questions…. Except the one question every fan wants to know!
WHY IS MICHAEL TURNER STILL IN THE BACKFIELD?!
Isn’t reporting 101: sometimes you have to ask the tough question. Even when the subject is standing right in front of you. And never leave out the one question every fan wants to know!
Come on man! toughen up and DO YOUR JOB!
Dennis
November 11th, 2012
7:54 pm
I could live the rest of my life without ever having to see Michael Turner up the middle on first and ten.
Give it a rest, JEEZ!
Jamaaliver
November 11th, 2012
7:54 pm
Where is Ovie Mughelli?!?
falconsrus
November 11th, 2012
8:00 pm
8 wins 1 loss we are gonna be allright
rise up
falconsrus
November 11th, 2012
8:01 pm
Could have used the spoon today selah
Sam
November 11th, 2012
8:05 pm
Eric, yes, the falcons do have the worst punt return team in the league. We should go with Snelling and Rodgers in the back field. Ivory tore us up today
SeasonTicketHolderFalcons
November 11th, 2012
8:14 pm
Please…every running play given to Turner was garbage. Rodgers and Smith need to be given the ball. Turner…thanks for the years but time for retirement. Matt Ryan should have had 10 extra plays to use…stop running Turner 13 carries for 1.6 yards. I am not saying I could do better, but I can’t do much worse!
garland
November 11th, 2012
8:17 pm
Turner the burner fire is gone out .He looks like cold syrup coming out of the backfield. don’t think snelling is the answer either. Need a big nasty,mean and fast back. lets give someone else a chance so when we get to the playoffs they will have experience because turner is washed up!!!(think my daughter could tackle him). Eric C what game are you watching?Turner is downright awful. He is the last person i want to see get the ball on 3rd and 1
JeromeMJ
November 11th, 2012
8:23 pm
3 downs from the one and you don’t think you could get one yard? Just bad play calling from the offensive coordinator.
uoynossip
November 11th, 2012
9:03 pm
STB4 you can not get away with spelling your name backwards. This was only one game, The Falcons will easily win the Division and go 15-1 or 14-2. Given the way the rest of the NFL teams are in shambles the Falcons hope for an SB win is better than than before. There is no one team n the NFC to challenge them and all the AFC teams are weak. They can not bench Turner that would be too damaging to the rest of the team. Turner did not lose this game.
Michael M.
November 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
thought I drop in a min while I was working………….we deserved to lose the game when getting into two goaline shots at scoring touchdowns and only getting a feld goal…………….and its better to drop one now and come back next week winning again………..losing by a point hurts but we gonna get you back in the Georgia Dome Caints and don’t forget this one thing………….we on top of the division and the otherthree Pups just trying to crawl out of the bottom of the box !
C
November 11th, 2012
9:36 pm
Watching Turner run these days is painful. Give it to Snelling, or Cox in those short yard situations. Go Falcons!
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
November 11th, 2012
9:37 pm
Why don’t the Atlanta sports journalist ever ask Mike Smith the tough questions at the end of these games? I’m tired of all the fluff questions….get a back bone and ask him why he keeps running Turner for little or no gain???????
Gray Mule
November 11th, 2012
10:31 pm
Turner can’t run because there is no hole to run thru.
Falcons defense couldn’t even find the Saint’s QB.
Is he sacred? Musn’t touch?
Yet, Falcons were “right there” until a few seconds
before the final whistle.
Amazing!
Stumpknocker
November 11th, 2012
10:35 pm
Turner is done……stick a fork in him.
hiramsaint
November 11th, 2012
10:55 pm
46 total rushing yards ! really??? against the worst run D in the league ! no wonder we showed you for the posers you really are .
falconsrus
November 11th, 2012
11:47 pm
We’ll be in the play-offs ya’ll be playin swamp golf
Buzz Kill
November 11th, 2012
11:51 pm
WE are 8-1 and those guys are below .500 I likes our chances
JayCool4DaBirds
November 11th, 2012
11:56 pm
You bandwagon fans really get on my nerves. Through the Falcons undefeated run, some of the worst teams in the league have been giving them their best shot. With that being said this team is resilient, last year in the same Super Dome we got killed (blown out), but they fought back this time, and gave themselves the opportunity to win. They just didn’t make the final play. And you guys crying about the run game need to realize that we were down by double digits coming out of half, and had to throw the ball. Not to mention the offensive line played horrible, Matt Ryan had pressure in face all game with the rush coming from only the four down linemen. This team is not the same old Falcons, those guys would have never made it out of the first half. I’ve been a faithful Falcons fan for a long time now and there is absolutely nothing I would change about this team. When we play our best we win and when we don’t, we still have a chance to win. I rep Season Ticket Section 130 see you guys Sunday and be prepared to Rise Up!!!!!!!!
Next Man Up
November 11th, 2012
11:58 pm
Turner’s lack of laying off the doughnuts and losing weight to get quicker during the off season may really hurt this team when we get in the playoffs. Is there a way to starve him and make him run stairs for four weeks to lose 20 lbs and gain a step quicker before the playoffs? Does he prefer to win a Super Bowl or eat doughnuts? I guess is probably waiting for contract year before he works out.
DR. FALCON
November 12th, 2012
12:12 am
HEYSEENTHISBR, AND HIRAMSAINT, CHECK OUT THE DIVISION! YOU ARE STILL 4 GAMES BACK! ENJOY YOUR LITTLE WIN, BECAUSE WE WILL GET YOU BACK AT THE GA. DOME, IN 3 WEEKS!
sincethe80$
November 12th, 2012
12:38 am
They handed it to the aunts.
Matt Ryan you should always alley hoops
#11 in a one one, last red zone to roddy you had a t least five yards to less the throw you thee right where it can be knock down.
Lamar
November 12th, 2012
12:54 am
THE FALCONS HAVE 2 PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW, ONE OF TURNER AND THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS DUNTE ROBINSON! THIS GUY IS PATHETIC COVERING THE RECEIVERS! HOW HE CAN PLAY IN THE NFL IS BEYOND ME, WHAT A PIECE OF GARBAGE!! AS FAR AS TURNER, HE HAS LOST HIS FIRST STEP! HE IS TO SLOW AT HITTING THE HOLE! I GUESS HE STILL DRINKS TO MUCH AND HAS A BEER BELLY!! WE NEED ANOTHER RB, ONE THAT CAN HIT THE HOLE WHEN IT OPENS! BAD LOSS! WHEN TURNER WAS PLAYING HIS BEST, 1st and goal from the 2 was automatic, NOW THEY HAVE TO THROW TO GET IT IN!!
larry white
November 12th, 2012
1:18 am
Most of last year, and all of this year, the OL cannot push out for the running game, but MT is stuffed time after time. Yes, he has the occasional burst for some yards, but his consistancy is zero; he has no juke, no ability to find another lane when one is closed. If he ever was the answer to the run, he is not any longer, and until the Falcs cut the umbilical to this loser, the close games might continue to slip away.
It’s a rare game that the Falcons play all 4 quarters. Matt & company can’t do it all, all the time.
Hey, coach, you keep saying you’ll get it fixed……..DO IT NOW!!!
Ken Norman
November 12th, 2012
1:19 am
Josh Smith, Larry Drew and Michael Turner need to get the hell out of this city.
FalconJim
November 12th, 2012
1:40 am
In the words of Clint Eastwood, “If a guy can’t do the job, you have to let him go”….well, Turner ain’t doing the job, so LET HIS BIG FAT A$$ go!!!!!!! He’s over-stayed his welcome in the ATL. We need help NOW, at running back! Not in a week or two, but NOW, if we ever expect to make any noise in the Playoffs!!!
I don’t know who would be available, but almost ANYBODY else could get more than 15 yards on 13 carries. I mean, if you take away the 1 or 2 plays he actually gains yardage on, the stats are even WORSE!!! LET HIM GO…..NOW!!!
Loyal Falcon
November 12th, 2012
1:45 am
The fact remains is that we are 8-1. This was a tough lost,but we will get those things corrected. Really missed Spoon in that game. There will be a different outcome when they come here in a couple weeks. It’s funny how these cowardly aints fans come on to talk crap now. Too bad you won’t make the playoffs this year. Keep dreaming!
Go Falcons!
Loyal Falcon
November 12th, 2012
1:47 am
Oh and all you fake falcon fans….stay off the bandwagon! We don’t need ya.
retired
November 12th, 2012
4:40 am
tough loss …… correct mistakes move on and crush I mean crush those N.O. s.o.b.s in the dome. I really dispise the ‘aints and their trolls that come here . guess we’ll have to put up with them for another 3 weeks.
Suddenly flawed Falcons part of an imperfection convection – Los Angeles Times
November 12th, 2012
5:00 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Esquire
November 12th, 2012
8:15 am
“The NFL’s last undefeated team, the Falcons’ dreams of an undefeated season are over as they dropped to 8-1.”
Lol, did anybody think we would go 16-0? 8-1’s still damn good.
NFL.com headline: Graham, Caints hand Falcons first loss of season.
If anything the Falcons handed the win to the Caints.
I was disappointed in the very first play of the game. They had 70% of their defense going for #33 even before the snap. I would have loved a play action pass right there. Falcons moved up to 4th in passing with Ryans 400+ yard performance yesterday!
We got a rested Arizona team coming to the GA Dome.
Falcons offense
PTS 27.4 (7th) YDS 385.2 (6th) PASS YDS 292.6 (4th) RUSH YDS 92.7 (26th)
Falcons defense
PTS 19.3 (6th) YDS 365.6 (20th) PASS YDS 235.8 (19th) RUSH YDS 129.8 (25th)
Arizona offense
PTS 16.0 (31st) YDS 295.4 (31st) PASS YDS 219.2 (20th) RUSH YDS 76.2 (32nd)
Arizona defense
PTS 19.2 (5th) YDS 320.7 (9th) PASS YDS 194.6 (2nd) RUSH YDS 126.1 (24th)
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:27 am
We knew we would not go 16-0. I sort of did not want to anyway. Now this group knows how it feels, and I suppose they don’t like it. It was not a blow out. It was not at home. It was a motivated rival, in a tough venue. We showed a lot of 4th quarter savvy, but just did not convert on the critical plays.
What did we learn?
Well, the flashes we have seen in the past two weeks with the running game has been a mirage. Quizz can perform when he gets the ball in space (screens, flairs, etc.), but we very predictably cannot gain a yard. On first and goal at the ten, we wasted one play with the run. We should not have even tried it.
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:32 am
ANTONE SMITH.
LET HIM HAVE THE ROCK.
Esquire
November 12th, 2012
8:32 am
Loyal Falcon
November 12th, 2012
1:45 am
Its funny how these cowardly aints fans come on to talk crap now. Too bad you won’t make the playoffs this year.
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Man, you need to have some sympathy for the aints fans.
I mean other than the stench of their city our blog is all they’ve got.
Esquire
November 12th, 2012
8:33 am
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:32 am
ANTONE SMITH.
LET HIM HAVE THE ROCK.
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That and more of Snelling.
Esquire
November 12th, 2012
8:35 am
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:27 am
We knew we would not go 16-0. I sort of did not want to anyway. Now this group knows how it feels, and I suppose they don’t like it. It was not a blow out. It was not at home. It was a motivated rival, in a tough venue. We showed a lot of 4th quarter savvy, but just did not convert on the critical plays.
What did we learn?
Well, the flashes we have seen in the past two weeks with the running game has been a mirage. Quizz can perform when he gets the ball in space (screens, flairs, etc.), but we very predictably cannot gain a yard. On first and goal at the ten, we wasted one play with the run. We should not have even tried it.
*************************************************
Well said.
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:39 am
D-LED, is Antone Smith the fastest player on the team? Is he the fastest running back? Why doesn’t he play?
Ed
November 12th, 2012
8:45 am
Falcons are still 8-1 and will get things back going this week against the Cardinals.
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:47 am
Esquire:
I guess I can wash that Falcons shirt now.
Honestly, I wonder about Smith. He has looked good in pre-season for 3 years, and he has only one (yes, one) regular season carry in 3 years. It’s hard to imagine him being a downgrade from our current situation. At one time, he was the fastest guy on the team. He ran a 4.32 on his pro day and has been clocked at 4.25. Julio Jones ran a 4.39 at his combine. Smith may still be the fastest on the team. He seems to hit holes hard and fast in pre-season, and can catch the ball.
I can’t believe that he won’t block after being on special team suicide sqads for 3 years.
He had a bonehead penalty yesterday, but I would love to see them work him into a rotation of backs.
old man
November 12th, 2012
8:49 am
Periodically, I come on here and ask what the problem is with Antone Smith, because it makes no sense to me that he does not get a handful of snaps.
No one ever responds. Ever.
I usually just read but...
November 12th, 2012
8:55 am
Turner needs to ride the bench until his lard butt is fuu of splinters. I could do better and I’m a 64 yo white guy that smokes.
Samuel and his “swag” seems to be catching on in the locker room. What I expected from him. MS needs to stomp that little fire out before it spreads any more.
Robinson stinks.
Dent stinks worse.
White needs to keep his big mouth SHUT. His comments had the Taints playing over their heads. Don’t insult your opponent, ever! Their city, players ect, stupit!!!
Ctfalconsfan
November 12th, 2012
9:01 am
Not going for 2 points hurt us.
We could have had an opportunity to kick the FG at the end of the game instead of going for it on 4th down
Ben
November 12th, 2012
9:10 am
Mike Smith is such a pro. Paul Johnson should take lessons from Smith on how to act like a professional in news conferences.
JAMES ONE
November 12th, 2012
9:14 am
The Falcons lack of a running game cannot be blamed entirely on Turner. The Offensive line is doing a bad job of creating holes for all of the running backs. On majority of the running plays the defenses are getting to the running backs before they reach the line of scrimmage.
Mikefalcon63
November 12th, 2012
9:15 am
How bad must the Ainst be that we played so horrible and almost came back and won the game. Time for paper bags Aints fans. Good jobs by the Aints to take advantage of the Falcons poor play.
coleski
November 12th, 2012
9:43 am
If there is no hole for the running back to run thru, guess what? There is no gain. If the other team is
knocking your o-line back into the backfield. I don’ care who you have running the ball they are not
going to gain any yardage. This has been a problem for the Falcons for a good while. Not just this year but for a good while. Maybe the offensive linemen are not strong enough to muscle the other
team off the ball.
Its always we have to improve but there is’nt any improvement. Every player on the offensive line
gets smacked back into the backfield. It just could be that none of these guys can excel in the game
of pro football.
GregKennesaw
November 12th, 2012
9:50 am
falcons lost because they can’t run the ball, problem cropped up last year and it wasn’t fixed. I don’t know if it is because our starting FB got hurt, the OL, Turner or a combination of all three, but when you get 4 downs to go 2 yards and can’t get it, you aren’t a SB team.Also Falcons can’t stop the run, on that big run by Ivory, our DB’s looked like little girls slapping at each other. Having Spoon out really hurt, because no one could cover Graham. hats off to Ryan, I think he did all he could do, broke a record on yardage. Roddy needs to shut his mouth, and Asante needs to stop the posing and learn to tackle
JWatl
November 12th, 2012
10:04 am
For those that think going for 2 after the last TB was a crazy thought, if we had made it we could have tied the game and at least gone into OT. Missing it, would have not changed the need for TB to win but going for 1 meant you no longer had the option to go for the tie, only for the win which as we all know did not happen!
josh
November 12th, 2012
7:51 pm
matt ryan aka mr check down is the best game manager in the NFL
Go Falcons..!!
November 13th, 2012
8:35 am
@chucktown falconfan.
I agree CF. After the dust settles this will be a good thing for the Falcons…
Still need a pass rush.
single white dove
November 13th, 2012
4:24 pm
Sam
November 11th, 2012
7:20 pm
Why is franks still returning punts? He hasn’t return one for more than 10 yds
Because he is one of the hand picked failers of Mr.Dimitrioff. Look if we draft pick a scrub, gett rid of him…